‘I think he just gets better every time I watch him’ – Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor lauds Alex Carey’s smart glovework to dismiss Jonny Bairstow in second Ashes Test

Mark Taylor and Alex Carey. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Alex Carey has been getting mixed reactions for his Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal in the second test match at Ashes 2023, England’s wicketkeeper, Bairstow was out of the crease to talk with his partner, as he thought the ball bowled would be dead. It was at this point, Carey showed his presence of mind and delivered an underarm throw to stump out the English batter after he was declared out by the Third umpire.

Interestingly enough, in comparison to the contrasting reactions Carey has been garnering from the English camp for his act, some former Australian players including Mark Taylor were seemingly in awe of the Australian stumper. In the same vein, the legendary Australian skipper reckoned that Alex Carey performs better every time he gets to see him keeping for Australia. Apart from Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal, he also lauded Carey for stumping out Zak Crawley in the first innings while he took a good catch down the leg side for the same batter.

Hence, Taylor feels that the Australia keeper puts his thinking cap on to yield good results for his team. Notably, Alex Carey scored 22 & 21 runs in both innings to lend good support to the high-order batter in the game. The 31-year-old is on the national side since 2018 but received the ‘baggy green’ cap in the year 2021.

“He had a terrific game. Obviously would’ve liked to have made a few more, but his glovework was impeccable in this game. I think he just gets better every time I watch him,” Mark Taylor said while speaking to Channel 9.

“The stumping to remove (Zak) Crawley in the first innings was crucial, the catch down the leg side today, obviously the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow. What he’s doing is he’s thinking all the time about how he can contribute to Australia’s performance,” Taylor further added.

Australia are leading 2-0 against England in the ongoing Ashes 2023 series

The Pat Cummins-led Australia surely will be looking to win the third test match at Leeds, which starts on July 6. Therefore the visitors will look to gain an unassailable lead in the series. Notably, after trumping England at Lord’s, the Aussies are leading the series by 2-0.

It is worth mentioning that  Australia last won ‘ The Ashes’ in England in the year 2001. Hence, winning the series would be astounding for the side after winning WTC (World Test Championship) Final against India not long ago in 2023.